Vice President of Advancement

Association of Fundraising Professionals; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Indianapolis seeks an energetic advancement leader to build on momentum by engaging donors and securing transformational gifts. Reporting to the President, the Vice President for University Advancement will guide fundraising strategy, work with senior leaders, and travel regionally and nationally to build alliances that advance the university's mission.

This role emphasizes relationship-building, ethical leadership, and collaboration with the Board of Trustees to elevate

Qualifications

• 10+ years in higher education or major nonprofit advancement.
• Proven track record of securing seven-figure gifts from individuals.
• Strong donor engagement, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Experience collaborating with senior leaders to close major gifts.
• Knowledge of complex gift agreements and long-term impact.

Responsibilities

• Act as the major fundraiser for the University alongside the president and manage a high-value donor portfolio.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to strategize, cultivate, and solicit major gifts.
• Engage trustees and serve as liaison for the Board's advancement efforts.
• Develop and execute strategies spanning major gifts, planned giving, and private foundations.
• Design high-touch cultivation and stewardship programs for diverse donors.
• Partner with CFO and General Counsel to ensure compliant gift activities.
• Represent the University to the Alumni Association and expand philanthropic reach.
• Align fundraising work with university policies and strategic priorities.

Skills

Front-Line Fundraising

Donor Cultivation

Relationship Building

Major Gifts

Strategic Partnerships

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

CFRE designation preferred

Tools

Board relations

Job description

The University of Indianapolis seeks a bold, entrepreneurial, and relationship-driven advancement leader to build upon a period of exceptional momentum and help shape the University’s next era of impact. Over the past three years, under the leadership of President Dr. Tanuja Singh, UIndy has strengthened its financial position, achieved sustained fundraising success, expanded academic and workforce initiatives, and forged ambitious partnerships—including an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program with Perry Township Schools that will bring Indiana’s first high school located on a university campus to UIndy. The launch of UIndy Online, significant investments in engineering, nursing, honors education, and student success, and a growing portfolio of corporate and community partnerships reflect a University that is confident in its direction and ready to translate its momentum into even greater philanthropic support.

Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President for University Advancement will serve as a key member of the President’s Cabinet and an active participant in strategic decisions affecting the University. UIndy seeks an energetic, active fundraiser who will spend the majority of their time engaging, cultivating, and soliciting donors; securing significant philanthropic investments; and building enduring relationships that advance the University’s mission and strategic priorities. Working closely with the President, senior leadership, and the Board of Trustees, and supported by an experienced advancement team responsible for the unit’s day-to-day operations, the Vice President will lead UIndy’s overall fundraising strategy, strengthen its culture of philanthropy, and develop external alliances that expand the University’s visibility, reach, and financial resources. The position will involve local, regional and national travel.

Position Details:

The Vice President of Advancement, reporting directly to President Dr. Tanuja Singh, serves as a key leadership team member of the President's Cabinet and an active participant in strategic decisions affecting UIndy.

This role requires an active, front-line fundraiser with a primary focus on relationship building, donor engagement, cultivation, and solicitation. The Vice President will spend the majority of their time out of the office including on regional and national travel, building high-value relationships, securing major philanthropic gifts from individual donors and stewarding those relationships, and driving the University’s overall fundraising strategy. While operational advancement staff manage day-to-day administrative unit functions, the Vice President works in close partnership with senior leadership, the President, and the Board of Trustees to forge key external alliances that expand UIndy's visibility, philanthropic reach, and overall financial resources.

Essential Functions

• Front-Line Fundraising & Major Gifts: Serve as the major fundraiser for the University alongside the president, actively building, managing, and advancing a portfolio of major gift prospects to regularly secure seven-figure and higher philanthropic gifts from individual and institutional donors.
• Senior Leadership Collaboration: Partner closely with the President, Provost, Deans, Athletic Director, and senior executive management to collaboratively strategize, cultivate, and solicit major gifts across key academic and athletic priorities.
• Board & Trustee Engagement: Serve as the official staff liaison for the Board of Trustees Advancement Committee, actively engaging board members in major donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship initiatives.
• Campaign & Private Foundation Strategy: Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies that encompass major gifts, planned giving, private foundation grants, and multi-year comprehensive campaigns.
• Relationship Building & Stewardship: Design and implement high-touch cultivation and stewardship programs to foster deep, long-term relationships with individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Financial & Compliance Partnership: Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer on financial alignment and with the Office of General Counsel to ensure all gift agreements and fundraising activities follow federal, state, and local regulations.
• Alumni Association Representation: Serve as a key spokesperson for the University to the UIndy Alumni Association, enhancing engagement and a culture of philanthropy across the UIndy Greyhound alumni community.
• Institutional Alignment: Demonstrate respectful, ethical, and responsible behavior in alignment with University policies, procedures, and rules.

Requirements & Qualifications

Experience & Track Record:

• 10+ years of professional experience in higher education or major non-profit advancement, with a proven track record as a successful fundraiser.
• Proven track record of securing major philanthropic gifts (seven figures or higher) from individual donors.
• Proven track record of relationship building and management, with demonstrated success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-net-worth individual donors.
• Proven track record of working collaboratively with senior management (Presidents, Deans, Vice Presidents) to prepare for, execute, and close major gift solicitations.
• Strong understanding of complex gift agreements, structured giving, and their long-term impact on the university.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Successful experience leading or co-leading a multi-year comprehensive campaign within a higher education institution.
• Demonstrated experience successfully managing board relations and engaging trustees in front-line fundraising activities.
• Proven track record in private foundation cultivation and solicitation, including relationship building with program officers and securing institutional grants.

Education & Credentials:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or higher preferred.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation preferred.

Competencies & Key Characteristics:

• Front-Line Focus: Energetic, self-motivated external fundraiser who thrives on face-to-face donor engagement and relationship building.
• Persuasive Communication: Superior written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to compellingly articulate UIndy's mission to diverse audiences.
• Strategic Partnering: Ability to work seamlessly with senior executives, trustees, campus leaders, faculty, and volunteer leadership to execute sophisticated cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Independence & Initiative: High degree of self-direction, organizational skills, and attention to detail, capable of driving major gift pipelines forward without heavy administrative oversight.
• Integrity & Passion: High ethical standards, professional discretion, and a genuine passion for higher education and UIndy's mission.